European Audit on Colorectal Cancer Treatment Outcome – The Next Step in Quality Assurance Initiated by the European Society of Surgical Oncology

Abstract

In recent years there have been significant improvements in rectal cancer outcome. New surgical techniques and effective neoadjuvant treatment regimens have contributed to these improvements. It is important to spread these advances to every rectal cancer patient and to make sure that it is not only patients treated within the framework of clinical trials who may benefit from these advances. Throughout Europe there have been interesting quality programmes that have been proved to facilitate the spread of up-to-date knowledge and skills among medical professionals, resulting in improved treatment outcomes. Despite these laudable efforts, there is still wide variation in treatment outcomes between countries, regions and institutions, which calls for a European audit on cancer treatment outcomes.